UKIP Leader says Maria Miller's apology shows lack of "comprehension"

UKIP leader Nigel Farage has said that Basingstoke MP Maria Miller’s apology following the public row over her expense claims, showed “a lack of comprehension”.

The South East MEP addressed a packed-out room of Basingstoke residents and UKIP borough and European Election candidates, this evening, at the Old Basing Village Hall.

As reported on The Gazette website, Basingstoke MP Maria Miller resigned from her position as Culture Secretary, this morning, following the public row over her expenses claims.

In her letter of resignation to Prime Minister David Cameron, Mrs Miller said that the controversy "has become from the vital work this Government is doing".

In an exclusive interview with The Gazette, Mr Farage said: “It seems to me that that to be asked to repay £5,800 is rather a small punishment for somebody who has taken £90,000 of taxpayer’s money to help fund the mortgage on a property which she sold for £1million.

“The apology was derisory and it shows a lack of comprehension of how people think about this. The miracle is not that she resigned, the miracle is that David Cameron didn’t sack her a week ago and that shows appalling misjudgement.

"I think your readers completely chime with my idea about the right of recall. If you had the right of recall, you would have a by-election in Basingstoke. As the law currently stands, she can ignore them and stand at next year’s General Election."

When asked about the Gazette apology, Mr Farage added: “She doesn’t understand, does she? She thinks it’s fine, David (Cameron) thinks it’s fine, they all think it’s fine but the folk here don’t think it’s fine and that is the gap, that’s the gulf that has really opened up between the elected leaders and the masses.”

Comments

Heaven help us if UKIP get any power. Nazis in sheeps clothing. Their views on disabled children & foreign workers is disgusting. Very pre 1939 Adolf.

As much as what the tories represent, I would rather have them in power than Nigel.

Aha!
Heaven help us if UKIP get any power. Nazis in sheeps clothing. Their views on disabled children & foreign workers is disgusting. Very pre 1939 Adolf.
As much as what the tories represent, I would rather have them in power than Nigel.alan partridge

Aha!

Heaven help us if UKIP get any power. Nazis in sheeps clothing. Their views on disabled children & foreign workers is disgusting. Very pre 1939 Adolf.

As much as what the tories represent, I would rather have them in power than Nigel.

Score: 11

cameodel
6:56am Thu 10 Apr 14

alan partridge wrote…

Aha!

Heaven help us if UKIP get any power. Nazis in sheeps clothing. Their views on disabled children & foreign workers is disgusting. Very pre 1939 Adolf.

As much as what the tories represent, I would rather have them in power than Nigel.

Didn't see anything about disabled children or foreign workers above, I guess you must agree with Maria Miller's conduct. You really should read what Ukip stand for before sprouting such rubbish around. Its just sensible stuff really controlling who comes into our country instead of letting in anyone who feels like it, regaining control of our own laws from the EU, removal of useless wind farms & a proper energy policy, cant say I've read anything bad about disabled children or foreign workers though think you just had a bad dream!

[quote][p][bold]alan partridge[/bold] wrote:
Aha!
Heaven help us if UKIP get any power. Nazis in sheeps clothing. Their views on disabled children & foreign workers is disgusting. Very pre 1939 Adolf.
As much as what the tories represent, I would rather have them in power than Nigel.[/p][/quote]Didn't see anything about disabled children or foreign workers above, I guess you must agree with Maria Miller's conduct. You really should read what Ukip stand for before sprouting such rubbish around. Its just sensible stuff really controlling who comes into our country instead of letting in anyone who feels like it, regaining control of our own laws from the EU, removal of useless wind farms & a proper energy policy, cant say I've read anything bad about disabled children or foreign workers though think you just had a bad dream!cameodel

alan partridge wrote…

Aha!

Heaven help us if UKIP get any power. Nazis in sheeps clothing. Their views on disabled children & foreign workers is disgusting. Very pre 1939 Adolf.

As much as what the tories represent, I would rather have them in power than Nigel.

Didn't see anything about disabled children or foreign workers above, I guess you must agree with Maria Miller's conduct. You really should read what Ukip stand for before sprouting such rubbish around. Its just sensible stuff really controlling who comes into our country instead of letting in anyone who feels like it, regaining control of our own laws from the EU, removal of useless wind farms & a proper energy policy, cant say I've read anything bad about disabled children or foreign workers though think you just had a bad dream!

Score: -22

alan partridge
7:31am Thu 10 Apr 14

Aha!

Cannot stand the Tories or Maria.

But you must be well out of touch to be seduced by all the UKIP filth.

Read the archives, UKIP are just another re-packaged right wing extreme party.

Aha!
Cannot stand the Tories or Maria.
But you must be well out of touch to be seduced by all the UKIP filth.
Read the archives, UKIP are just another re-packaged right wing extreme party.alan partridge

Aha!

Cannot stand the Tories or Maria.

But you must be well out of touch to be seduced by all the UKIP filth.

Read the archives, UKIP are just another re-packaged right wing extreme party.

Score: 13

JustinH
7:55am Thu 10 Apr 14

Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.

Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.JustinH

Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.

Score: -15

AbsolutelyPassionate
8:41am Thu 10 Apr 14

JustinH wrote…

Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.

The anti-ukip trolls seem to be strangers to truth, they don't back up any of their allegations with facts. It's pure mud slinging - that's all they've got, like Nick Clegg on the TV debates. At least the public are beginning to see through their propaganda now thanks to Nigel Farage.

[quote][p][bold]JustinH[/bold] wrote:
Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.[/p][/quote]The anti-ukip trolls seem to be strangers to truth, they don't back up any of their allegations with facts. It's pure mud slinging - that's all they've got, like Nick Clegg on the TV debates. At least the public are beginning to see through their propaganda now thanks to Nigel Farage.AbsolutelyPassionate

JustinH wrote…

Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.

The anti-ukip trolls seem to be strangers to truth, they don't back up any of their allegations with facts. It's pure mud slinging - that's all they've got, like Nick Clegg on the TV debates. At least the public are beginning to see through their propaganda now thanks to Nigel Farage.

Score: -16

alan partridge
9:21am Thu 10 Apr 14

Aha!

Geoffrey Clark. Say no more.

Aha!
Geoffrey Clark. Say no more.alan partridge

Aha!

Geoffrey Clark. Say no more.

Score: 27

hoot_gibson
9:55am Thu 10 Apr 14

I still cannot get my head around that she was cleared of fraud but told to pay back £45,000?
Sounds like she WAS found guilty by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.
Then the MP's committee reduced it to £5800 .
Seems like criminals being allowed to judge a fellow criminal and basically letting Miller off.

I still cannot get my head around that she was cleared of fraud but told to pay back £45,000?
Sounds like she WAS found guilty by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.
Then the MP's committee reduced it to £5800 .
Seems like criminals being allowed to judge a fellow criminal and basically letting Miller off.hoot_gibson

I still cannot get my head around that she was cleared of fraud but told to pay back £45,000?
Sounds like she WAS found guilty by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.
Then the MP's committee reduced it to £5800 .
Seems like criminals being allowed to judge a fellow criminal and basically letting Miller off.

Score: 22

hoot_gibson
9:57am Thu 10 Apr 14

Alan Partridge
you are a sad sad person.

Alan Partridge
you are a sad sad person.hoot_gibson

Alan Partridge
you are a sad sad person.

Score: -31

alan partridge
10:05am Thu 10 Apr 14

Aha!

You know Im right.

Back of the net.

Aha!
You know Im right.
Back of the net.alan partridge

Aha!

You know Im right.

Back of the net.

Score: 26

jackwridge
12:12pm Thu 10 Apr 14

UKIP are clearly making themselves heard in Basingstoke - went to their public meeting last night and I have to say I agree more convinced by them than the Tories and all the other parties in the local area - since the scandal with Maria I have become dissilusioned with the established political class whod prefer to live in london (at our expense) rather than live with their constituents and engage with local people. UKIP are no Nazi/Racist party like the BNP or the National front - for a start they do not permit such members in their party. They are against unelected beurocrats in Brussels telling us what to do - pro democracy and not pro dictatorship or corruption - its a stigma that has been wrongly attached to UKIP - they just want us to have a democratic vote on the money drain which is the EU and do whats right for our country.

UKIP are clearly making themselves heard in Basingstoke - went to their public meeting last night and I have to say I agree more convinced by them than the Tories and all the other parties in the local area - since the scandal with Maria I have become dissilusioned with the established political class whod prefer to live in london (at our expense) rather than live with their constituents and engage with local people. UKIP are no Nazi/Racist party like the BNP or the National front - for a start they do not permit such members in their party. They are against unelected beurocrats in Brussels telling us what to do - pro democracy and not pro dictatorship or corruption - its a stigma that has been wrongly attached to UKIP - they just want us to have a democratic vote on the money drain which is the EU and do whats right for our country.jackwridge

UKIP are clearly making themselves heard in Basingstoke - went to their public meeting last night and I have to say I agree more convinced by them than the Tories and all the other parties in the local area - since the scandal with Maria I have become dissilusioned with the established political class whod prefer to live in london (at our expense) rather than live with their constituents and engage with local people. UKIP are no Nazi/Racist party like the BNP or the National front - for a start they do not permit such members in their party. They are against unelected beurocrats in Brussels telling us what to do - pro democracy and not pro dictatorship or corruption - its a stigma that has been wrongly attached to UKIP - they just want us to have a democratic vote on the money drain which is the EU and do whats right for our country.

Score: -21

hoot_gibson
1:02pm Thu 10 Apr 14

Benedict Brogan of the Telegraph wrote:

"She was notorious in Whitehall as a difficult and at times vindictive minister."
"You can do a lot with a bit of charm, but she never showed any to her staff or colleagues."

No wonder she was fired and had just a couple of supporters the hapless PM being one, no one likes or wanted to help her.

Benedict Brogan of the Telegraph wrote:
"She was notorious in Whitehall as a difficult and at times vindictive minister."
"You can do a lot with a bit of charm, but she never showed any to her staff or colleagues."
No wonder she was fired and had just a couple of supporters the hapless PM being one, no one likes or wanted to help her.hoot_gibson

Benedict Brogan of the Telegraph wrote:

"She was notorious in Whitehall as a difficult and at times vindictive minister."
"You can do a lot with a bit of charm, but she never showed any to her staff or colleagues."

No wonder she was fired and had just a couple of supporters the hapless PM being one, no one likes or wanted to help her.

Score: 0

OvercrowdedCountry
5:45pm Thu 10 Apr 14

I don't want to vote for UKIP, because I don't think we should leave the EU. BUT neither of the main parties seem to understand the consequences of uncontrolled immigration ("free movement of labour") into the UK from other EU countries. Labour are in favour of it - after all, they allowed it to happen; although they are now admitting that they made a mistake. There is a clause in the EU treaties which allows immigration to be controlled if it will distort the labour market; but the Tories didn't use it to prevent our borders being opened to Bulgarians and Romanians. MP's pay has not been forced down by cheap labour from the EU, so they don't care. Any why should we believe anything the Tories say they will do? Once they are elected we can't force them to do anything. When we have shortages of water, gas, and electricity, and when we have to concrete over our countryside to house citizens from other countries, then will the main parties understand that we can't support an unlimited population?

I don't want to vote for UKIP, because I don't think we should leave the EU. BUT neither of the main parties seem to understand the consequences of uncontrolled immigration ("free movement of labour") into the UK from other EU countries. Labour are in favour of it - after all, they allowed it to happen; although they are now admitting that they made a mistake. There is a clause in the EU treaties which allows immigration to be controlled if it will distort the labour market; but the Tories didn't use it to prevent our borders being opened to Bulgarians and Romanians. MP's pay has not been forced down by cheap labour from the EU, so they don't care. Any why should we believe anything the Tories say they will do? Once they are elected we can't force them to do anything. When we have shortages of water, gas, and electricity, and when we have to concrete over our countryside to house citizens from other countries, then will the main parties understand that we can't support an unlimited population?OvercrowdedCountry

I don't want to vote for UKIP, because I don't think we should leave the EU. BUT neither of the main parties seem to understand the consequences of uncontrolled immigration ("free movement of labour") into the UK from other EU countries. Labour are in favour of it - after all, they allowed it to happen; although they are now admitting that they made a mistake. There is a clause in the EU treaties which allows immigration to be controlled if it will distort the labour market; but the Tories didn't use it to prevent our borders being opened to Bulgarians and Romanians. MP's pay has not been forced down by cheap labour from the EU, so they don't care. Any why should we believe anything the Tories say they will do? Once they are elected we can't force them to do anything. When we have shortages of water, gas, and electricity, and when we have to concrete over our countryside to house citizens from other countries, then will the main parties understand that we can't support an unlimited population?

Score: 0

jackwridge
2:33pm Fri 11 Apr 14

OvercrowdedCountry wrote…

I don't want to vote for UKIP, because I don't think we should leave the EU. BUT neither of the main parties seem to understand the consequences of uncontrolled immigration ("free movement of labour") into the UK from other EU countries. Labour are in favour of it - after all, they allowed it to happen; although they are now admitting that they made a mistake. There is a clause in the EU treaties which allows immigration to be controlled if it will distort the labour market; but the Tories didn't use it to prevent our borders being opened to Bulgarians and Romanians. MP's pay has not been forced down by cheap labour from the EU, so they don't care. Any why should we believe anything the Tories say they will do? Once they are elected we can't force them to do anything. When we have shortages of water, gas, and electricity, and when we have to concrete over our countryside to house citizens from other countries, then will the main parties understand that we can't support an unlimited population?

The problem is that we no longer have control of our boarders - the EU have too much power and wesminster are now (thanks to Labour selling us out in the Lisbon Treaty) powerless to control the 'consequences of uncontrolled immigration'. The only way we can stop an overcrowded country is to get out of the EU - we certainly cannot negotiate with the EU for a better deal either because the comissioners have already said we cannot re-negotiate or demand refor,... The EU have left us either to accept their political doctrines (which we did not vote for we voted for the EEC ie FREE TRADE ONLY) or to leave... Only UKIP truely wants to get us out and has the guts to stand up to our complacent establishment - we have no control because EU law overides our laws and because time and time again we vote for the same old parties.

[quote][p][bold]OvercrowdedCountry[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to vote for UKIP, because I don't think we should leave the EU. BUT neither of the main parties seem to understand the consequences of uncontrolled immigration ("free movement of labour") into the UK from other EU countries. Labour are in favour of it - after all, they allowed it to happen; although they are now admitting that they made a mistake. There is a clause in the EU treaties which allows immigration to be controlled if it will distort the labour market; but the Tories didn't use it to prevent our borders being opened to Bulgarians and Romanians. MP's pay has not been forced down by cheap labour from the EU, so they don't care. Any why should we believe anything the Tories say they will do? Once they are elected we can't force them to do anything. When we have shortages of water, gas, and electricity, and when we have to concrete over our countryside to house citizens from other countries, then will the main parties understand that we can't support an unlimited population?[/p][/quote]The problem is that we no longer have control of our boarders - the EU have too much power and wesminster are now (thanks to Labour selling us out in the Lisbon Treaty) powerless to control the 'consequences of uncontrolled immigration'. The only way we can stop an overcrowded country is to get out of the EU - we certainly cannot negotiate with the EU for a better deal either because the comissioners have already said we cannot re-negotiate or demand refor,... The EU have left us either to accept their political doctrines (which we did not vote for we voted for the EEC ie FREE TRADE ONLY) or to leave... Only UKIP truely wants to get us out and has the guts to stand up to our complacent establishment - we have no control because EU law overides our laws and because time and time again we vote for the same old parties.jackwridge

OvercrowdedCountry wrote…

I don't want to vote for UKIP, because I don't think we should leave the EU. BUT neither of the main parties seem to understand the consequences of uncontrolled immigration ("free movement of labour") into the UK from other EU countries. Labour are in favour of it - after all, they allowed it to happen; although they are now admitting that they made a mistake. There is a clause in the EU treaties which allows immigration to be controlled if it will distort the labour market; but the Tories didn't use it to prevent our borders being opened to Bulgarians and Romanians. MP's pay has not been forced down by cheap labour from the EU, so they don't care. Any why should we believe anything the Tories say they will do? Once they are elected we can't force them to do anything. When we have shortages of water, gas, and electricity, and when we have to concrete over our countryside to house citizens from other countries, then will the main parties understand that we can't support an unlimited population?

The problem is that we no longer have control of our boarders - the EU have too much power and wesminster are now (thanks to Labour selling us out in the Lisbon Treaty) powerless to control the 'consequences of uncontrolled immigration'. The only way we can stop an overcrowded country is to get out of the EU - we certainly cannot negotiate with the EU for a better deal either because the comissioners have already said we cannot re-negotiate or demand refor,... The EU have left us either to accept their political doctrines (which we did not vote for we voted for the EEC ie FREE TRADE ONLY) or to leave... Only UKIP truely wants to get us out and has the guts to stand up to our complacent establishment - we have no control because EU law overides our laws and because time and time again we vote for the same old parties.

Score: -28

Suriman
2:50pm Fri 11 Apr 14

Jackwridge, I agree with you.Why people keep voting for a system or party that is no longer fit for purpose is staggering. This country is going down the tubes under Liblabcon, surely it is time for a change. Most of what is going on in Europe is not even reported in our MSM so it is small wonder that some believe everything is going to be OK. 25,000 people protested against austerity in Brussels a few days ago, I would have thought that would make headline news, but it didn't. There are young people across Europe and in this country who have little or no future, things that my generation took for granted. In my opinion the EU has a lot to answer for as do our own self serving politicians, as you people of Basingstoke are well aware. Vote UKIP at every opportunity, it would be hard for them to be any worse than the dross we have now.

Jackwridge, I agree with you.Why people keep voting for a system or party that is no longer fit for purpose is staggering. This country is going down the tubes under Liblabcon, surely it is time for a change. Most of what is going on in Europe is not even reported in our MSM so it is small wonder that some believe everything is going to be OK. 25,000 people protested against austerity in Brussels a few days ago, I would have thought that would make headline news, but it didn't. There are young people across Europe and in this country who have little or no future, things that my generation took for granted. In my opinion the EU has a lot to answer for as do our own self serving politicians, as you people of Basingstoke are well aware. Vote UKIP at every opportunity, it would be hard for them to be any worse than the dross we have now.Suriman

Jackwridge, I agree with you.Why people keep voting for a system or party that is no longer fit for purpose is staggering. This country is going down the tubes under Liblabcon, surely it is time for a change. Most of what is going on in Europe is not even reported in our MSM so it is small wonder that some believe everything is going to be OK. 25,000 people protested against austerity in Brussels a few days ago, I would have thought that would make headline news, but it didn't. There are young people across Europe and in this country who have little or no future, things that my generation took for granted. In my opinion the EU has a lot to answer for as do our own self serving politicians, as you people of Basingstoke are well aware. Vote UKIP at every opportunity, it would be hard for them to be any worse than the dross we have now.

Score: -31

jonone
12:02pm Sun 13 Apr 14

JustinH wrote…

Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.

Perhaps some people are being anti-UKIP due to exercising their democratic right not to like them. Anyone who cannot see this as a blatant manipulation of feeling for cheap vote winning needs their bumps felt!

[quote][p][bold]JustinH[/bold] wrote:
Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.[/p][/quote]Perhaps some people are being anti-UKIP due to exercising their democratic right not to like them. Anyone who cannot see this as a blatant manipulation of feeling for cheap vote winning needs their bumps felt!jonone

JustinH wrote…

Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.

Perhaps some people are being anti-UKIP due to exercising their democratic right not to like them. Anyone who cannot see this as a blatant manipulation of feeling for cheap vote winning needs their bumps felt!

Score: 2

JustinH
12:44pm Sun 13 Apr 14

jonone wrote…

JustinH wrote…

Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.

Perhaps some people are being anti-UKIP due to exercising their democratic right not to like them. Anyone who cannot see this as a blatant manipulation of feeling for cheap vote winning needs their bumps felt!

You do realise that you've just proven my point with this comment. Thanks. :-)

[quote][p][bold]jonone[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]JustinH[/bold] wrote:
Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.[/p][/quote]Perhaps some people are being anti-UKIP due to exercising their democratic right not to like them. Anyone who cannot see this as a blatant manipulation of feeling for cheap vote winning needs their bumps felt![/p][/quote]You do realise that you've just proven my point with this comment. Thanks. :-)JustinH

jonone wrote…

JustinH wrote…

Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.

Perhaps some people are being anti-UKIP due to exercising their democratic right not to like them. Anyone who cannot see this as a blatant manipulation of feeling for cheap vote winning needs their bumps felt!

You do realise that you've just proven my point with this comment. Thanks. :-)

Score: -1

jonone
11:45am Tue 15 Apr 14

JustinH wrote…

jonone wrote…

JustinH wrote…

Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.

Perhaps some people are being anti-UKIP due to exercising their democratic right not to like them. Anyone who cannot see this as a blatant manipulation of feeling for cheap vote winning needs their bumps felt!

You do realise that you've just proven my point with this comment. Thanks. :-)

Er - perhaps you could articulate which part of my post was "name-calling" as opposed to "expressing an opinion." Something that you clearly [censored to avoid upset]

[quote][p][bold]JustinH[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]jonone[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]JustinH[/bold] wrote: Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.[/p][/quote]Perhaps some people are being anti-UKIP due to exercising their democratic right not to like them. Anyone who cannot see this as a blatant manipulation of feeling for cheap vote winning needs their bumps felt![/p][/quote]You do realise that you've just proven my point with this comment. Thanks. :-)[/p][/quote]Er - perhaps you could articulate which part of my post was "name-calling" as opposed to "expressing an opinion." Something that you clearly [censored to avoid upset]jonone

JustinH wrote…

jonone wrote…

JustinH wrote…

Anyone else noticed that anti-UKIPers never actually put forward well formed arguments to UKIP policies, they just resort to name calling.

Perhaps some people are being anti-UKIP due to exercising their democratic right not to like them. Anyone who cannot see this as a blatant manipulation of feeling for cheap vote winning needs their bumps felt!

You do realise that you've just proven my point with this comment. Thanks. :-)

Er - perhaps you could articulate which part of my post was "name-calling" as opposed to "expressing an opinion." Something that you clearly [censored to avoid upset]

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